17th Finchley (Roman Catholic)

St. Philip the Apostle, Church End

The 17th Finchley existed twice over the years, the first time as a Group in East Finchley who met at the Primitive Methodist Church and the second time as a Roman Catholic Group that met at St Philip’s in Church End, Finchley.

This article relates to the Catholic Group, while information about the Methodist Group can be found here.

At the District Executive meeting in July 1944 approval was given to start a new Group at St. Philip’s Roman Catholic Church at Church End, Finchley. They were allocated the number 17 with Mr M Masters being the Scoutmaster (SM) and Mr F C Wallington being the Cubmaster (CM).

It was later confirmed that the colour of their scarf was purple and gold halves.

Unfortunately the information we have about the Group is fairly limited and it is not until 1946 that something of substance is known. In the meantime it is probably fair to say that the Group were progressing well as the census figures at the end of March 1946 were 14 Cubs and 18 Scouts, up from 11 and 16 the previous year. Mr Masters and Mr Wallington were still the leaders of the Troop and Cub Pack respectively.

Over the weekend of 13th/14th July 1946 the Group’s Senior Scouts joined those from 5 other Groups at Gilwell Park for a London County Senior Scout camp. There is a short press cutting about the event.

During the last two weeks of August the Troop held their summer camp on the Isle of Wight. They were based on the outskirts of Ryde but not on the site that they had originally hoped to occupy. Despite the poor weather and condition of the site they managed to make the most of things and made visits to local places of interest and enjoyed swimming, fishing and boat trips. A full report of the camp appeared in the local press.

There is no record of summer camps for 1947 and 1948.

On the census for 1948 three leaders are recorded. The additional scouter is thought to be Francis Pesente, who was an a/ASM. However, shortly after applying for a warrant later in the year he decided that he could not devote the necessary time and the application was subsequently withdrawn.

By March 1949 Mr Masters had become the Group Scout Master (GSM) although he was still running the Troop which then consisted of 23 Scouts. There were also 20 Cubs but Sheila Pedder became the ACM, having transferred her warrant from the 2nd Finchley.

Later in the year Peter Guly and Vincent Smith joined and became SM and ASM.  As a result of this the census return at the end of March 1950 looked very healthy with there being 19 Cubs with 2 leaders (Mr Wallington and Sheila Pedder), 20 Scouts with 2 leaders (Peter Guly and Vincent Smith) and Mr Masters as the GSM.

 

More to follow

 

Gallery

Click here to view associated photos and press cuttings.

HM King Charles III has been confirmed as our new Patron, a great honour for UK Scouts.

The King continues a long tradition of the monarch giving their Patronage, dating back to 1912. This was when Scouts was granted its Royal Charter and HM George V became our first Patron.

Find out more
King Charles III

Our Patron, HM King Charles III